Vancouver Vets : Healthy Dog Series

We humans mostly feel comfortable in the company of dogs because they are easy to ‘read’. The facial expressions, tail movement and position, bark and urine mark are all familiar to us in their general expressions, though their detailed integration into an expressive language may not be understood. In practice, an owner becomes highly skilled in detecting the smallest changes in their dog’s well-being and likely next move, just by trial and error. Here is a brief description of canine vocabulary:

  • Vocalisation
  • Bark: On surprise, defence of territory
  • Yap: In play, to solicit attention
  • Bark-whine: In distress, to attract attention
  • Howl: ‘Here I am’, a contact call
  • Growl: Threat, a dominant challenge
  • Growl: In play, mock dominance
  • Whimper: In submission, to appease

Sound analysis of dog vocalisations reveals many variations of these basic calls for each dog, and further variations between individuals, breeds and possible between sexes.

  • Visual signs
  • Ears: Forward/back
  • Lips: To hide/reveal pigmentation
  • Eyes: Lid opening and papillary dilation
  • Neck: Angle and hair erection
  • Back: Height and hair erection (the ‘hackles’)
  • Tail: Hair movement and height – a thousand variations
  • Body: Stand, squat, roll-over (inquinal display)

The complexity of body language of dogs is both intellectually challenging to understand and beautiful in its consistency.
Everybody’s dog occasionally let its owner down; may be it steals the steak, gets lost in woods or barks at policeman. About 15 per cent of dogs present a more serious problem to their owners, causing inconvenience, danger and sometimes financial and legal liabilities. The most serious category of behavioural problem is presented by the dog which is aggressive; perhaps towards its owner, visitors or other dogs. A particular canine behavioural problem may require a more structured and individual solution.

The first professional to approach for help with canine behavioural problems is undoubtedly the veterinary surgeon, he or she having the training to evaluate both medical and psychological causes and treatments. Only on the advice of a veterinary surgeon should one seek additional guidance on behaviour from a qualified scientist or specialist in the field. Dog trainers do not necessarily posses any such qualification, and dog training classes might be quite irrelevant to the problem. If you run into problems dealing with dominant dogs, fighting dogs, territorial aggression, destructive dogs, toilet training problems and coprophagia, consult our a vet surgeon at our Vancouver vet clinic for a professional advice.